VNA of Northwest Indiana has awarded its inaugural Joyce Alexa Advocacy Award to Porter County Center Township Trustee Jesse Harper. Harper will receive the award on June 29, 2021 at the VNA of NWI’s employee celebration picnic.
The award honors the service and legacy of former VNA of NWI administrator and board member Joyce Alexa. The award inscription reads: "Joyce Alexa served the VNA as a nurse, administrator and board member for over 40 years. She advocated for fair legislative policy, lobbied for progressive patient care provisions, and built relationships throughout the community to support the VNA Hospice’s mission and the promotion of senior health services. The Joyce Alexa Advocacy Award is given to an individual who exemplifies Joyce’s spirit of fair legislation, empowering the underserved, promoting senior independence and dignity, and always advocating for the VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana."
“I’m so pleased that Jesse Harper is the first recipient of the Joyce Alexa Advocacy Award,” said Bob Franko, president and CEO of VNA of NWI. “Jesse exemplifies all that Joyce espoused in her leadership at the VNA and how empathetic she is as a person."
Franko discussed how Harper has been helpful and supportive of the VNA of NWI, particularly its Meals On Wheels of Porter County program.
“Especially during the pandemic when the demand for services exploded, Jesse was right there with us to see what he could do to help,” Franko said. “He even came out and ran a route with me to meet the clients and to truly understand the level of need. He was true to his word on making sure that people in his Township received the services they needed and helped provide the financial support to assure that they never missed a meal.”
VNA of NWI’s Meals On Wheels of Porter County program provides meals for over 90 people in Center Township alone, including 12 to 15 people who require full financial subsidization to receive the service. Harper pledged to help support those on full charity care.
“Jesse saw the need and was empathetic to their situations and didn’t blink an eye about stepping up," said Franko.
Alexa and her husband Bill now reside in Florida. Alexa said she is thrilled that Harper is the first recipient of her namesake award.
VNA of Northwest Indiana is a nonprofit organization that provides hospice services, palliative care, Meals on Wheels of Porter County, LifeLine life alert services, and the Phoenix Center. It has offices in Valparaiso, La Porte, and Crown Point. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020.
For more information, visit vnanwi.org.
